James Romero Scoops $1,938,118 at the WPT Diamond Classic

7 years ago
Romero Scoops $1,938,118 at the WPT Diamond Classic
11:59
12 Dec

(Photo: Assopoker.com)

The WPT Diamond Classic is always one of the most star-studded events in the calendar and finishing ahead of 790 other players, all having paid a $10,000 buy-in, was always going to set someone up for a massive payday.

Portland’s James Romero was that man as he finished off an amazing wire-to-wire run to scoop the richest WPT prize in years at the Bellagio in Las Vegas!


It was a remarkable victory for the virtually unknown Costa Rica-resident, a paltry $4500 or so his only tournament earnings prior to this week – and he did it in style against a field which included the likes of WSOP Main Event winner Joe Hachem, Antonio ‘the Magician’ Esfandiari and well-known modern-day poker sensations such as Jake Schindler and Justin Bonomo.

One of the most active players from start to finish at the final table, Romero saw off the challenge of Ukrainian talent Igor Yaroshevsky when his pocket Queens felled Igor’s A 10, took out Alex Condon when his pocket fives held up and then dispatched Schindler in 3rd when the Pennsylvanian’s pocket pair was out-flopped by Romero’s KJ.

Heads-up lasted all of 16 hands, Romero’s brutally aggressive style seeing him start with an almost 8-1 chip lead, and when Ryan Tosoc shoved his pocket 5’s Romero produced the goods with pocket Kings.

The board ran out and missed Tosoc, leaving James Romero as the surprising but outstanding player and winner of the massive event, a huge trophy presented by legendary WPT player and commentator Mike Sexton and a crowd-surfing moment with his rail to celebrate!



And let’s not forget the almost $2million cheque, and a $15,000 seat in the season-ending WPT Tournament of Champions. Tosoc earned $1,124,051 for his superb runners-up place and the full final-table finishers looked like this:

1 James Romero
USA
$1,938,118
2 Ryan Tosoc
USA
$1,124,051
3 Jake Schindler
USA
$736,579
4 Alex Condon
USA
$494,889
5 Justin Bonomo
USA
$345,272
6 Igor Yaroshevskyy
UKR
$268,545

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Andrew from Edinburgh, Scotland, is a professional journalist, international-titled chess master, and avid poker player.Read more

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